Comparison · Phosphate Minerals vs Molybdate Minerals
Pyromorphite vs Wulfenite
Pyromorphite and Wulfenite are easy to confuse. Both sit near Mohs 3.75, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Pyromorphite and Wulfenite
- Both sit near Mohs 3.75, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- Luster is different: Pyromorphite is resinous while Wulfenite is adamantine.
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Pyromorphite is translucent, Wulfenite is transparent.
- They overlap in yellow, brown, and orange, but Pyromorphite also comes in green and Wulfenite also comes in red.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Pyromorphite is hexagonal, Wulfenite is tetragonal.
Pyromorphite vs Wulfenite properties
| Property | Pyromorphite | Wulfenite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Phosphate Minerals | Molybdate Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 3.75 | 3 |
| Luster | resinous | adamantine |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | translucent | transparent |
| Specific gravity | 7 | 6.8 |
| Crystal system | hexagonal | tetragonal |
| Common colors | Green, Yellow-green, Yellow, Brown, Orange | Orange, Yellow, Red, Brown |
| Rarity | uncommon | uncommon |
| Typical specimen value | $15–$600+ | $12–$700+ |
Which is more valuable?
Pyromorphite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $90 against $80 for Wulfenite, and premium Pyromorphite can reach $600 or more.
About Pyromorphite
Pyromorphite is a lead phosphate mineral prized for its bright green to yellow-green color and barrel-shaped hexagonal crystals. It is dense, has a resinous luster, and forms in the weathered upper zones of lead deposits.
About Wulfenite
Wulfenite is a lead molybdate famous for its brilliant orange to yellow tabular crystals. A secondary mineral of oxidized lead deposits, it is a highly popular collector species and a minor ore of molybdenum.
Pyromorphite vs Wulfenite FAQ
Is Pyromorphite the same as Wulfenite?
No. Pyromorphite is a phosphate mineral while Wulfenite is a molybdate mineral. Both sit near Mohs 3.75, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
How can you tell Pyromorphite from Wulfenite?
Both sit near Mohs 3.75, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Luster is different: Pyromorphite is resinous while Wulfenite is adamantine. Hold a thin edge to the light: Pyromorphite is translucent, Wulfenite is transparent.
Which is harder, Pyromorphite or Wulfenite?
Pyromorphite is harder: Mohs 3.75 against Mohs 3 for Wulfenite.
Which is more valuable, Pyromorphite or Wulfenite?
Pyromorphite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $90 against $80 for Wulfenite, and premium Pyromorphite can reach $600 or more.
